Liturgical Information
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Themes & Motives: Eucharist, providence of God, universal call to holiness, baptism, God's goodness, heavenly banquet

Introit:
God, come to my help. Lord, quickly give me assistance. You are the one who helps me and sets me free: Lord, do not be long in coming. [Psalm 70:2,6]

Opening Prayer:
Father of everlasting goodness,
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise you.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in your love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• Isaiah 55:1-31 [Every one who thirsts, come to the waters. /v.1]
• Psalm 145:8-9 / 15-16 / 17-18 [R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. / See v.16]
• Romans 8:35,37-39 [Who shall separate us from the love of God? /v.35]
• Gospel Verse: Mt 4:4b [One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.]
• Matthew 14:13-21 [They all ate, and were satisfied. /v.20]

Offertory Antiphon: **
But Moses implored the Lord, his God, saying, "Why are you angry with your people, Lord? Let your wrath die down. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whom you promised to give a land flowing with milk and honey." So the Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people. [Exodus 32:11a,12d,13a,13c,14]
     Verses of  Psalm 13  can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Merciful Lord,
make holy these gifts,
and let our spiritual sacrifice
make us an everlasting gift to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface for Sundays in Ordinary Time II: [The Mystery of Salvation]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Out of love for sinful man,
he humbled himself to be born of the Virgin.

By suffering on the cross
he freed us from unending death,
and by rising from the dead
he gave us eternal life.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
You gave us bread from heaven, Lord: a sweet-tasting bread that was very good to eat. [Wisdom 16:20]

Prayer after Communion:
Lord,
you give us the strength of new life
by the gift of the eucharist.
Protect us with your love
and prepare us for eternal redemption.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is cited in Latin, (Precatus est Moyses) in the Graduale Romanum. The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, and Prayer after Communion from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.